Story Highlights
-Education secretary: U.S. students at "competitive disadvantage" with other countries
-Longer school year among options considered to boost student performance
-"We can't afford to get worse now," Secretary Arne Duncan says
-Stimulus money will help schools keep teachers in jobs, Duncan says
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/education.school.year/index.htmlThose lazy days of summer may become a thing of the past if the new secretary of education has his way.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan suggests giving incentives to teachers whose students perform well.
Arne Duncan, the Cabinet secretary charged with overhauling America's educational system, is studying programs that keep kids in school longer to boost their academic achievements.
"When I go out and talk about that, that doesn't always make me popular with students. They like the long summers," Duncan said in an interview Wednesday with CNN conducted in the Education Department's library.
But Duncan said American students are "at a competitive disadvantage" because the United States has shorter school years than other countries such as India and China.
"It doesn't matter how poor, how tough the family background, socioeconomic challenges," Duncan said. "Where students have longer days, longer weeks, longer years -- that's making a difference."
More time in school is one of several ideas under consideration as Duncan settles into his new role.
Video:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/education.school.year/index.html#cnnSTCVideoKinjo note: I actually think this is a good idea, after i graduated HS i knew nothing of the real world, they dont prepare you for anything. For us to keep up with other countries, we should goto school more. Think about it, after you graduate forced school k-12, then you have to PAY to get into college and then use that paper to find a job. Would be better to learn traits in high school to be more prepared for the future.
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